How many foreign students are there in SOTA and Sports School?

Minister Grace Fu posted a message on her Facebook page today (6 Jan) congratulating the students from School of the Arts (SOTA) and Singapore Sports School who had just received their IB results.“Both schools have done well, with the entire cohort passing the examinations,” she said. “This is the result of our students’ hard work in pursuing their passions, whether in arts or sports, alongside their studies.”

However, for the Singaporean students who really have the passions to go into arts or sports, they will have to compete with the foreign students for the limited places in SOTA or Sports School.

Concerns of foreign competition for places can be seen in kiasuparents.com, a popular forum where our local parents and students discuss education issues in Singapore:

Sam02: “On another note how many foreign students are there in the group? Does sota restrict the no of foreign students?”

Mamabung: “I too am curious as to how many foreign students SOTA admits a year. During the TA, I saw a number of foreign students (esp for theatre, I believe) and wonder how many are admitted each year.”

Mamabung also suggested that the number of foreign students studying in SOTA should be capped, “The no. of places in SOTA is already so limited and it being a national school, I don’t see why a cap on the no. of foreign students shouldn’t be imposed. Is there anyone too who feels this way and who can address my query as to how many foreign students are accepted each year? The school management is likely to keep mum over this.”

A SOTA student, Alicorn, replied, “Hmm they don’t control the amount of foreign students, like there are around 4 foreign students in my class.”

Not only SOTA appears to be keen in recruiting foreign students into its campus, it is also very generous towards them. For example, SOTA provides the NAK Scholarship, which any foreign students can apply. It also provides fund to assist students from low-income households, including foreign ones:

SOTA – The NAK Scholarship: 100% of school fees and miscellaneous fees. Annual allowance of $400 for Year 1 to 4 and $800 for Year 5 and 6 (All students, regardless of nationality).
SOTA Student Assistance Fund: Provide subsidy to students from low-income households (All students, regardless of nationality).

Perhaps our opposition politicians should ask Minister Fu about the number of foreign students in SOTA and Sports School and why we are funding them.